AI and K-12 Education: Shaping Tomorrow's Learning

 A Forum for Dialogue and Discussion

In this strand, we’ll explore how AI transforms K -12 education, diving into classroom practices, policy considerations, and research defining its integration. Join us for a rich exchange of ideas as educators, scholars, and practitioners share their experiences and insights on using AI to personalize learning, develop critical thinking, and address ethical considerations like data privacy and bias. This journey offers practical approaches and meaningful dialogue on preparing educators and students for an AI-enhanced future.



View a detailed conference schedule

Strand Facilitator: Catharine Reznicek
Cathy currently works in both K-12 and Higher Education settings. She is the Director of Education Technology for the Ventura County Office of Education where she works with educators and administrators on technology integration including media literacy. She is also a lecturer at California State University at Channel Islands where she teaches Media Literacy and Youth Culture and Computer Literacy for Educators. Both courses address numerous topics of media literacy education and its place in our lives.  

STRAND THEMES AND SPEAKERS

Session 1: Times of Crisis, AI & Media Literacy

Friday, January 10, 8am PST | 11am EST | 4pm GMT | 9:30pm IST

In this opening plenary session, you can join our growing community of learners to discuss AI and media literacy issues. You will meet the organizers and the participants to learn from each other using various interactive online activities to introduce the speakers and innovative session formats. Not only will you make new colleagues from all over the globe, but you will be able to better understand what sessions you want to participate in. 

Forum Organizers: Renee Hobbs, Catharine Reznicek, Barbabra Burke, Iglika Ivanova, & Yonty Friesem

Session 2: AI Learning & Teaching: The ERASMUS+ TaLAI Project

Friday, January 10, 10am PST | 1pm EST | 6pm GMT | 11:30pm IST​​​​

In this session, you will learn how the Erasmus+ project TaLAI (Teaching and Learning with Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education) addresses the topics of AI literacy and responsible use of AI in higher education. The project, co-funded by the European Union, focuses on understanding the use and acceptance of AI in higher education and empowering teachers and students to navigate the complex and dynamic AI landscape.

We present the findings of our structured literature review exploring the existing AI policies and a survey of teachers' and students' use and acceptance of AI. By sharing these insights, we aim to spark conversations about the current state of teaching practices and create a collaborative network committed to advancing AI literacy. Join this session and contribute to a discussion about the ethical, informed AI integration in higher education.

Speakers: Peter Weber & Susmita Rudra

Dr. Peter Weber is a professor at the Center for Business Education (BE) at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Soest, Germany, where he specializes in business informatics. In addition to his teaching activities, he heads the Competence Center E-Commerce (CCEC) and the Virtual Institute for Digital Business and is a member of the Graduate School NRW and the Executive Committee of the AACE EdMedia Conference. His work focuses on topics related to digital transformation and educational technology.

Susmita Rudra is a researcher at the Competence Center E-Commerce (CCEC) at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences. As part of the OERContent.nrw project, she currently develops Open Educational Resources on digital transformation, while at the same time researching AI integration in higher education in the Erasmus+ TaLAI project. She holds a master's degree in International Management & Information Systems and was honored with the ALSO Technology Award for her thesis on guided selling strategies and data-driven solutions for B2B customer attrition.

Session 3: Exploring the Future of AI in K-12 Education

Friday, January 10, 2 pm PST | ​​​​​​​ 5pm EST | 10pm GMT | (on January 11) 3:30am IST

How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshaping education, and what does it mean for equity, ethics, and teaching practices? In this interactive 90-minute session, Sue Thotz of Common Sense Education and Rudy Escobar of Stanislaus County Office of Education bring their expertise to explore AI’s impact on K-12 education nationwide.

Designed for educators, administrators, and non-profit professionals, this session highlights practical AI applications, ethical dilemmas, and equity challenges. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions, reflect on global trends, and explore strategies for supporting teachers and students in this transformative era.

Discover how to leverage AI to foster innovation while addressing the needs of diverse communities. Join us to gain actionable insights and resources for navigating AI’s role in creating equitable, future-ready education systems.

Speakers: Sue Thotz and Rudy Escobar

Sue Thotz, Director of Outreach for Common Sense Education and co-founder of Equity in Action CA, supports educators in digital culture and wellness. Winner of the 2023 CUE Making IT Happen Award, Sue focuses on equity in education technology and holds degrees in public health, zoology, and chemistry.



Rudy Escobar, STEM & Computer Science Coordinator at Stanislaus County Office of Education, specializes in AI, coding, robotics, and STEAM education. An ISTE AI course facilitator and CSTA Equity Fellow, Rudy supports educators through innovative curriculum design, policy advocacy, and professional learning focused on equity and future-ready skills.

Session 4: True friends? AI Companions’ Impact on Youth

Friday January 10, 4pm PST | 7pm EST | (January 11) GMT 0am | 5:30am IST


Generative AI is bringing dramatic shifts to kids’ lives. But one of the biggest shifts is to their relationships. Kids are increasingly interacting with AI chatbots, tutors, therapists, friends, and companions. These companions are the first completely interactive, immersive, human-like media creations. Yet, AI companions are being created and used with little understanding on how they impact young people. In this informative session, we will explore big questions around AI companions and kids, including: What do we know about how kids are interacting with AI companions? What are the risks of AI companions, and what might be the benefits? How might AI companions affect kids’ communication skills, identities, relationships, and well-being? How should we protect kids as they interact with AI companions? How can media literacy educators teach about AI companions? We’ll show examples of AI companions tools and apps. Get ready for a lively discussion!     

Speakers: Kelly Mendoza & Derek Baird

Dr. Kelly Mendoza builds and scales education programs in media literacy, digital citizenship, digital well-being, social-emotional learning (SEL), and parenting in the digital age. Most recently, Kelly oversaw education programs at Common Sense Media. She is passionate about harnessing technology for social good. She’s also a Media Education Lab alum!


Derek E. Baird is an award-winning kid culture expert, futurist, and author who helps brands, educators, and parents safely connect with kids and teens through culture, media, and technology. He consults with organizations to design and launch multi-platform media, kid tech product strategy and provide youth cultural marketing insights. 

Session 5: Building Custom AI Educational Tools

Saturday, January 11, 10am PST | 1pm ​​​​​​​EST | GMT 6pm | IST ​​​​​​​ 11:30pm


Artificial intelligence is poised to transform every aspect of teaching and learning, yet many educators remain hesitant to embrace these tools. One practical approach to integrating AI into your workflow is leveraging it to automate time-consuming tasks. In this session, Jason will present OpenMCQ, an AI-powered tool designed to generate high-quality, objective test items aligned with best practices in item analysis. He will share insights into the development process of OpenMCQ and provide actionable strategies for creating similar AI-driven tools tailored to your educational needs. Join this session to explore how AI can streamline your work and enhance your practice!

Speakers: Jason Neiffer & Dana Thompson

Dr. Jason Neiffer is the Executive Director of Montana Digital Academy, Montana’s state virtual school. For over 25 years, Jason has pursued innovative ways to combine technology and pedagogy to make learning engaging and meaningful for learners of all ages. His professional interests include distance learning, media literacy, digital productivity, artificial intelligence, social studies, and humanities education. His first work in educational technology was in 1984 when he set up all of the Apple IIe computers at Roosevelt Elementary School in Great Falls, Montana, as a rambunctious 4th grader. He has been chasing the thrill of Lemonade Stand and Oregon Trail ever since!

Dana Thompson is an experienced educational leader, with a proven track record of success in management and leadership roles. As Director of Education Technology and Information at Oak Park Unified School District. Dana has led the development and implementation of professional development programs for educators on the use of educational technology tools. In addition, Dana has supervised and evaluated staff, oversaw third-party technology systems, and established processes and procedures for online course development. Dana has a deep understanding of the educational system and a passion for equipping educators with the necessary tools and skills to prepare their students for success.